Jeremiah Simmons teaches Honors Algebra 2 and coaches the boys cross country team at Pattonville High School. This is Simmons’s third year of teaching here, and he is looking forward to being effective both as a teacher and a coach.

Q1. How has the transition from teaching regular Algebra 2 to Honors Algebra 2 worked out for you so far?

Simmons: “The transition has been fine. It’s not really too different because I try to push all students to raise to levels higher than they think they can achieve.”

Q2. Did you want to be a teacher when you were younger? If not, what did you want to be?

Simmons: “When I was really young I wanted to be a lawyer. Then, I wanted to teach college. I like the feeling of what I do every day matters, so that is why I teach high school.”

Q3. What do you like about being both a teacher and a cross country coach at the high school?

Simmons: “I love being a teacher because I enjoy working with the students. It’s also nice to be a coach and see students excelling at what they do.”

Q4. What do you do to keep both your classes and your cross country practices interesting?

Simmons: “I bring as much energy as I can. I have a real passion for both math and cross country. When you’re excited about your passion its contagious in a good way.”

Q5. How many miles do you run a week, both individually and with the cross country team?

Simmons: “When I run, I go anywhere from 50-70 miles a week.”